Charlie Partridge is entering his fifth season at Wisconsin. After spending the first three years as UW's defensive line and specialists coach, he was promoted to associate head coach, co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach in 2011.

Last season's defensive line was one of the deepest in Badger history. UW typically rotated at least eight linemen every game, even after losing starting defensive end David Gilbert to a season-ending injury after the fourth game. They were a key component in Wisconsin finishing among the top 15 nationally in both scoring and total defense.

The 2010 season was highlighted by the play of junior defensive end J.J. Watt, who won the Lott IMPACT Trophy. Watt was the leader of Wisconsin's defense, finishing the season tied for seventh in the country in tackles for loss (21). A consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection, Watt tied for second in the Big Ten in sacks (7.0) and tied for third in forced fumbles (3) and fumble recoveries (2). He tied for second on the team in tackles (62), led the team with 10 quarterback hurries and also broke up eight passes, blocked three kicks and recorded an interception.

A second-team All-American by Walter Camp, Rivals.com and CBSSports.com, Watt was named Lott IMPACT Defensive Player of the Week three times during the season. He was drafted 11th overall by the Houston Texans in the 2011 NFL Draft, the highest for a UW defensive player since 1992.

In 2009, the UW defensive line exceeded all expectations after losing three senior starters from the prior year. The headliner of the group was senior defensive end O'Brien Schofield, who ranked second in the country with 24.5 tackles for loss, the second-highest total in school history. He also tied for seventh in the country and third in school history with 12.0 sacks, while Watt pitched in with 15.5 TFLs. The duo's 40.0 combined TFLs were the most by a pair of teammates in the country.

The d-line was also instrumental in transforming UW's rush defense into one of the best in school history. Wisconsin led the Big Ten and ranked fifth in the country in rushing defense, allowing just 88.2 yards per game on the ground (second-best in school history). The Badgers held each of their last 10 opponents to less than 100 yards rushing, the longest streak in the country and the longest streak in school history.

In his first year at UW, 2008, Partridge led a veteran line. The three senior starters, Matt Shaughnessy, Mike Newkirk and Jason Chapman, all earned All-Big Ten mention while Schofield, in his first season as a starter at defensive end, tied for the team lead in sacks.

Partridge has also worked with the Badgers' kickers during his time at UW. Both four-year starters, placekicker Philip Welch and punter Brad Nortman left their mark on Wisconsin's record book. Welch, a first-team Freshman All-American in 2008, finished his career ranked second in school history in points (384), field goals made (59) and field goal percentage (.776). Nortman, a two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten selection, ranks third in school history with a 42.1 career average.

Partridge, an assistant at Pittsburgh for five years, coached the defensive line for his first four seasons there before switching to linebackers in 2007. He had special teams coaching responsibilities for the last three seasons, including the last two as special teams coordinator for the Panthers.

Pittsburgh ranked No. 5 nationally and led the Big East in total defense last season, allowing just 297.7 yards per game. In addition, the Panthers led their conference and were No. 3 in pass defense, surrendering only 167.3 yards per game. Pittsburgh was fourth in the Big East with nearly three QB sacks per contest. The Panthers' signature defensive effort in 2007 came when they shut down high-powered and No. 1-ranked West Virginia in a 13-9 win that eliminated the Mountaineers from national title contention.

Linebacker Scott McKillop led the Panthers with 151 tackles in 2007 and was named first-team All-Big East. Joe Clermond, a defensive lineman whom Partridge had coached at Pitt, was a second-team All-Big East selection in 2007.

Partridge's special teams units flourished at Pittsburgh. In his first season as special teams coordinator (2006), Pitt led the Big East in net punting (37.54 avg.) and kickoff returns (24.14 avg.). Punter Adam Graessle was an All-Big East selection that season and kick returner Lowell Robinson led the conference and finished ninth nationally with a 27.9-yard average. ESPN's 2006 college football "play of the year" selection was a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown by Pitt's Darrelle Revis against West Virginia. Revis was a first-round draft choice of the New York Jets in 2007.

Prior to his years at Pittsburgh, Partridge served as recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach at Eastern Illinois in 2002. Eastern Illinois qualified for the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs that season after sharing the Ohio Valley Conference title.

Partridge worked for head coach Dan McCarney at Iowa State from 1998-2001. He was a defensive graduate assistant in 1998-99 and worked with outside linebackers. He became the program's director of football operations in 2000.

Partridge was a NSCA All-America defensive lineman at Drake. He was a three-year starter and team captain for the Bulldogs before starting his coaching career at his alma mater as a graduate assistant in 1996-97. He coached running backs, including a pair of 1,000-yard rushers, and served as a strength and conditioning coach.

Partridge, a native of Plantation, Fla., earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Drake in 1995 and a master's degree in education from Iowa State in 2002. Partridge and his wife, Julie, have two daughters, Alexa and Kylee.